So where are all the jobs? Here, in these industries

Published: Monday, January 17, 2011 at 9:40 a.m.

Last Modified: Monday, January 17, 2011 at 9:40 a.m.

NOT A DAY GOES BY THAT

someone in Manatee County does not ask me where the jobs are, and where the jobs are going to be.

You don't need a crystal ball to figure out the future of job creation in Manatee County; you just need to look at the track record of businesses that have expanded or moved here in the past couple of years, during the recession.

Think about it: If a business could not merely survive, but thrive, in the past 24 brutal months, chances are that business may continue to do well as the global economy recovers.

Based on companies the Manatee Economic Development Council has assisted with relocations and expansions in the recent past, here are some industries to watch for job creation in 2011.

High-tech manufacturing: Companies like Trinity Graphics, Star2Star Communications, Dynamic Innovations and Pierce Manufacturing have put new fire in the belly of one of Manatee County's employment mainstays: manufacturing.

Today's manufacturers are using and creating innovative technology and targeting diverse, global markets. That combination bodes well for continued job growth in skilled technical positions.

Proactive training programs and grant availability are encouraging local manufacturers to retrain existing employees and provide needed skills to new employees to meet the changing demands of this field.

Life sciences: Trod Medical, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine and Natural Prosthetic Dental Lab are among the Manatee County businesses that populate this growing industry. Often closely associated with high-tech manufacturing, the life sciences field also requires skilled workers, as well as the many back-office staff members any business needs.

The EDC considers life sciences -- particularly medical-equipment manufacturing -- to be a strong prospect for future job growth in our region.

Port-related businesses: Port Manatee is an economic powerhouse and continues to be a magnet for job growth. Vecenergy, Port Dolphin and FB Energy are among the businesses we've noted that are capitalizing on the port's facilities. With the Panama Canal expansion and its own enhanced operations, Port Manatee is positioned to capture more containerized shipping business, which is the future of maritime distribution.

Sports performance: IMG Academies' expansion and the expected tourist draw of new, world-class rowing facilities in the region are among the exciting prospects for the local sports performance industry. The Pittsburgh Pirates added to their Manatee County roster in 2010 with the new Minor League Bradenton Marauders franchise.

In the meantime, Lakewood Ranch attracted a new, 70-acre sports complex and the expansion of C&H Baseball. The EDC believes we've only scratched the surface of the potential for sports-related careers in Manatee County.

The Bottom Line: In 2010 the EDC assisted with relocations and expansions for companies planning to create more than 1,700 jobs over the next five years.

Just 100 new jobs from high-impact industries contribute up to $11 million in consumer spending in our community. These dollars flow to local businesses, from grocery stores, utilities and health care to insurance, home sales and everything employees buy locally.

In addition to jobs for local residents, these businesses provide another important benefit to Manatee County's economy: They attract other like businesses and the companies that serve their industries. The ripple effect means still more jobs and greater capital investment -- that's how economic recovery will come about.

What can the community do to help?

Manatee County government has stepped up with substantial investments in performance-based incentives for companies that create high-impact jobs. Suncoast Workforce and educational institutions such as the State College of Florida and Manatee Technical Institute are helping employers customize training and win grants to develop the modern work force.

No doubt, growing the economy takes time. A business the EDC talks with today might not actually relocate or expand for two to five years. But, in the meantime, businesses that are already here are creating jobs.

Forget the crystal ball; just watch them grow in 2011.

Eric Basinger is executive director of the Manatee Economic Development Council, a division of the Manatee Chamber of Commerce. Reach him at (941) 748-4842, Extension 128, or at ericb@ manateeedc.com

<p>NOT A DAY GOES BY THAT</p><p>someone in Manatee County does not ask me where the jobs are, and where the jobs are going to be.</p><p>You don't need a crystal ball to figure out the future of job creation in Manatee County; you just need to look at the track record of businesses that have expanded or moved here in the past couple of years, during the recession.</p><p>Think about it: If a business could not merely survive, but thrive, in the past 24 brutal months, chances are that business may continue to do well as the global economy recovers.</p><p>Based on companies the Manatee Economic Development Council has assisted with relocations and expansions in the recent past, here are some industries to watch for job creation in 2011.</p><p><pbs:dingbats char="n">High-tech manufacturing: Companies like Trinity Graphics, Star2Star Communications, Dynamic Innovations and Pierce Manufacturing have put new fire in the belly of one of Manatee County's employment mainstays: manufacturing.</p><p>Today's manufacturers are using and creating innovative technology and targeting diverse, global markets. That combination bodes well for continued job growth in skilled technical positions.</p><p>Proactive training programs and grant availability are encouraging local manufacturers to retrain existing employees and provide needed skills to new employees to meet the changing demands of this field.</p><p><pbs:dingbats char="n">Life sciences: Trod Medical, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine and Natural Prosthetic Dental Lab are among the Manatee County businesses that populate this growing industry. Often closely associated with high-tech manufacturing, the life sciences field also requires skilled workers, as well as the many back-office staff members any business needs.</p><p>The EDC considers life sciences -- particularly medical-equipment manufacturing -- to be a strong prospect for future job growth in our region.</p><p><pbs:dingbats char="n">Port-related businesses: Port Manatee is an economic powerhouse and continues to be a magnet for job growth. Vecenergy, Port Dolphin and FB Energy are among the businesses we've noted that are capitalizing on the port's facilities. With the Panama Canal expansion and its own enhanced operations, Port Manatee is positioned to capture more containerized shipping business, which is the future of maritime distribution.</p><p><pbs:dingbats char="n">Sports performance: IMG Academies' expansion and the expected tourist draw of new, world-class rowing facilities in the region are among the exciting prospects for the local sports performance industry. The Pittsburgh Pirates added to their Manatee County roster in 2010 with the new Minor League Bradenton Marauders franchise.</p><p>In the meantime, Lakewood Ranch attracted a new, 70-acre sports complex and the expansion of C&H Baseball. The EDC believes we've only scratched the surface of the potential for sports-related careers in Manatee County.</p><p>The Bottom Line: In 2010 the EDC assisted with relocations and expansions for companies planning to create more than 1,700 jobs over the next five years.</p><p>Just 100 new jobs from high-impact industries contribute up to $11 million in consumer spending in our community. These dollars flow to local businesses, from grocery stores, utilities and health care to insurance, home sales and everything employees buy locally.</p><p>In addition to jobs for local residents, these businesses provide another important benefit to Manatee County's economy: They attract other like businesses and the companies that serve their industries. The ripple effect means still more jobs and greater capital investment -- that's how economic recovery will come about.</p><p>What can the community do to help?</p><p>Manatee County government has stepped up with substantial investments in performance-based incentives for companies that create high-impact jobs. Suncoast Workforce and educational institutions such as the State College of Florida and Manatee Technical Institute are helping employers customize training and win grants to develop the modern work force.</p><p>No doubt, growing the economy takes time. A business the EDC talks with today might not actually relocate or expand for two to five years. But, in the meantime, businesses that are already here are creating jobs.</p><p>Forget the crystal ball; just watch them grow in 2011.</p><p>Eric Basinger is executive director of the Manatee Economic Development Council, a division of the Manatee Chamber of Commerce. Reach him at (941) 748-4842, Extension 128, or at ericb@ manateeedc.com</p>